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Friday, January 16, 2015

Davos Trip and Drawn Battle Lines

A Kadir Jasin

LET us hope and pray that when the Prime Minister, Mohd
Najib Abdul Razak, attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland
in the next few days he will get some answers to our worsening economic
situation.

We need urgent answers to the widening effects of falling
crude oil prices on our economy, on the national budget, which I am told is
being reworked, on the exchange rates of the ringgit, the prices of goods and
servives and, not the least, on our sovereign rating.

From the snowy Davos, the PM will fly to London to meet
Malaysian students there. This is what I am told various unofficial sources, including
a blogger friend who is extremely friendly towards the PM. These days, bloggers
can be a very useful source of information.

After the PM’s controversial golfing trip to Hawaii during
last month’s banjir besar followed by an “unofficial” travel to Bangkok, the
curiosity about his penchant for overseas travel has increased, more so now
when the country is facing a slew of problems.

Having heard of the PM’s possible trip to Davos and London
plus the fact that bloggers are included in his entourage, I sent the following
SMS to two regular contacts in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO):

“Apologies. Need confirmation: 1. PM attending wef,
davos.When? 2. PM going to London. When and for what? 3. Some bloggers are
travelling with him. 4. Is the PM travelling with tudm vip jet and which type?
And 5. A person by the name of Mujibur rahman?? appointed new media adviser to
pm. Thank you.”

One of them replied: “When PM leaves for official or working
visit, a statement will be issued by wisma putra prior to the visit.” The other did not.

Can Mohd Najib seek answers in Davos?

My training as a journalist says I have to compare notes and
have as many sources as possible. So I sent the following SMS to a
pro-government blogger:

“Hang ok ka? Ada member kata hang pi London dng pm. Enjoy.
Tk.” [Are you ok? A friend says you are going to London with the PM. Enjoy.
Tq.]

I am quoting these exchanges to illustrate two things. One,
the type of response people like me can expect from the PMO and two the growing
importance of pro-government bloggers despite being labelled “bangang” (stupid)
by the PM.

Attack On Dr M and Daim

In the meantime attacks in the mainstream media on (Tun) Dr
Mahathir Mohamad, (Tun) Daim Zainuddin and other critics of the PM appear to be
gaining momentum.

Apart from enlisting Umno people in their efforts to silence
the critics, the mainstream Umno-linked newspapers and TV stations continue to
quote the opposition parties.

A couple of months ago they started to attack Daim and about
a month ago the attacks spread to Dr Mahathir. They were too systematic to be
the work of individual reporters and editors chasing after news. They appear to
be working in concert and orchestrated by someone outside the media.

Daim said he knew the person and the cyberspace is abazz
with talks that a new person outside the media circle has emerged as the new
media and propaganda “adviser” to the PM.

A senior mainstream newspaper editor sent me the following
SMS: “Assalam Tok Kadir. Siapa dia orang bernama H------ R----- yang dikatakan
terlalu rapat dengan PM dan berupaya memberitahu kepala2 media prima dan utusan
yang apa perku di spin?” [Assalam Tok Kadir. Who is this person by the name
H------ R----- who is said to so close to the PM and is able to tell the heads
of Media Prima and Utusan what they should spin?”]

I dare not publish the name of the alleged person and his
link to the PM because I have no corroborated information about him. My query
on the matter addressed to the two PMO contacts have not been answered.

But I believe I had come across a person by that name many
years ago when I was frequenting Raju Restaurant in PJ. I am no longer a
regular there. I was “priced-out”.

Daim Hits Out at Umno Media

On his part, Daim had issued a press statement which he
addressed to Bernama, the New Straits Times Group and Utusan, the contents of
which had since been picked up by several news portals. Let us see if Utusan
and NSTP newspapers will publish it.

The statement reads: “I refer to the recent statements by
some PKR politicians pressuring MACC to speed up its investigations into my
banking business overseas.

“MACC is an independent body that makes its own decision
without interference from anybody. I stand ready to support and cooperate with MACC
in its investigation.

"Whilst I understand the motivation of these PKR
politicians as they know not much other than politics and making baseless
allegations, I am quite surprised with the attention given to them by the
government-friendly media.

"TV3 which would not give 2 minutes of air time to
Pakatan, has aired the PKR press conference no less than 3 times. The NST
and Utusan have also carried these news.

"I am aware of who is behind this sudden attention on
me. If you don’t like the message, kill the messenger.

"I hope that all these groups will leave the MACC alone
to do its work.

“Thank you.”

The Battle Lines Drawn

In a separate development, the PM met Dr Mahathir the
latter’s residence at The Mines in Seri Kembangan, Selangor on last Dec. 13 and
they had dinner.

They talked about a number of issues including the 1MDB of
which PM is adviser. Sources said PM was shaken by the discussion on the
company.

Curiously, attacks on Dr Mahathir by pro-PM bloggers and the
Umno-liked mainstream media started soon after that meeting, alleging, among
other things, that the former PM was putting pressure on Mohd Najib to revive
the crooked bridge project “to satisfy his ego”.

I am not sure if attacks on Dr Mahathir and Daim are the
work of this mysterious new adviser to the PM or are concerted efforts by the
entire pro-PM propaganda machine to burnish his image by maligning his critics.
What I am more certain is the battle lines between the PM and his detractors
could have been drawn!

salam dato.I had some ideas on how umno/bn can regain penang n d 2/3 majority in d next ge.i was adviced 2 meet a gentleman by d same name.we disagreed on strategies n when I tried 2 convey d general urban malays feeling 2wards d first family especially flom he quickly cut me off.if yr info is correct n we r referring 2 d same gentleman, than I believ it wil spell disaster 4 umno/bn.

1. PM maybe the adviser of 1MDB, but there's a strong possibility that he's not on the ball and some people are playing ball with him.

2. Great mystery. Where has the high flier Jho Lo gone to? He appears to have disappear into thin air.

3. Lo and behold in came Arul Kanda Kandasamy the Executive Vice President, Head of Investment Banking Group and Head of Corporate Finance Division, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Is he being sent by his Arab bosses to rescue their investments in 1MDB?

4. Police and MACC reports have been made against 1MDB. Will these agencies know and dare to investigate without fear or favour?

5. If they don't, 1MDB will continue to be investigated and tried in the court of public opinion.

5. Amidst the dust, the smog and the fog, a mysterious figure in the shape of reclusive T. Ananda Krishnan appears like the mythical phoenix "offering" to rescue 1MDB via its proposed IPO.

6. The media reported that the country's second richest man is in talks with 1MDB to become a cornerstone investor in its long-delayed US$3-billion power IPO.

8. Hmm...something puzzling. Did Ananda not sell his power assets to 1MDB for a hefty gain?

9. The Star reported: "1MDB got its foot into the power sector in a RM8.5-bil deal which saw the company acquiring Ananda’s power generation business, Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, now known as Powertek Energy Sdn Bhd, in May 2012."

10. Or could Ananda be coming in via the proposed IPO to "rescue" the above deal, which some sources say has not been fully honoured by 1MDB?

11. The Star noted: "An investment by Krishnan would be a major boost for cash-strapped 1MDB, both in funding and inspiring confidence among other potential initial public offering investors. With Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak chairing its advisory board and criticism of 1MDB’s strategy mounting, the firm needs funds from the IPO to cut a debt pile of nearly US$12 billion and to expand business."

12. Are we seeing Arul Kanda and Ananda as the knights in shining armor rescuing the distress damsel or are they the players in the corporate games that we will never truly comprehend?

1. Debater Hamid said: "Yes, Habibul Rahman the dirty hand behind the scene. He stopped so low to use the Opposition to achieve his agenda. He is involved in the Fuel... company that was stopped by the government."

2. Cannot be. If his company "was stopped by the government" surely he would be upset and not support the government.

3. As I said I am not "confirming" his name because my SMS on that subject to two PMO operators - one media and another politics - receives no response.

4. Sdr JMS, as for Ananda's offer to become a cornerstone investor in the floatation of 1MDB's power assets, I am not surprised at all. AK is an expert at market making. IPOs and taking companies private are his forte.

5. If his involvement in Petronas and the privatization of the Selangor Turf are any indication, he could end up being not only a cornerstone investor in 1MDB's Power but potentially also its driver.

6. Anonymous debater who wrote about 1MDB paying off Maybank and RHB please resend with a name. Pseudonym is acceptable. I love to publish the info.

7. Debater Nick, Khazanah reported an improved year last year. Of course there are crooks and rogue officer everywhere. They are in minority and we should be serious in dealing their wrongdoings.

Sorry it was stopped by the Cabinet when Tan Sri Muhydin was chairing it. Of course, when Najib was away. This fella Habibul Rahman has been dropping PM,s name every where he goes. He is one of those advisors that is killing Najib.

Allowing the likes of 1MDB which is a Sovereign Fund to be run by inexperienced and untested Malay Managers is akin to Memberi Bunga Kepada Kera... Malay leaders are experts at screwing up the image of Malay Managers at the behest of those excellent ones.

With Ananda and Arul involved...they might as well give it it to the MIC.

About Me

I was born in 1947 in Kedah. I came from a rice farming family. I have been a journalist since 1969. I am the Editor-in-Chief of magazine publishing company, Berita Publishing Sdn Bhd. I was Group Editor NST Sdn Bhd and Group Editor-in-Chief of NSTP Bhd between 1988 and 2000. I write fortnightly column “Other Thots” in the Malaysian Business magazine, Kunta Kinte Original in Berita Harian and A Kadir Jasin Bercerita in Dewan Masyarakat. Books: Biar Putih Tulang (1998), Other Thots – Opinions & Observations 1992-2001 (2001), The Wings of an Eagle (2003), Mencari Dugalia Huso (2006), Damned That Thots (2006), Blogger (2006), PRU 2008-Rakyat Sahut Cabaran (2008), Komedi & Tragedi-Latest in Contemporary Malaysian Politics (2009) and Membangun Bangsa dengan Pena (2009).